MallinCam SKYRAIDER DS16C User manual

Revision Sheet
SkyRaider DS16C User Manual Page i
SKYRAIDER DS16C
[Version 3.4]
Michael Burns
Rock Mallin
[SkyRaider DS16C User Manual]
This document will quickly introduce you to the wonders of the MallinCam SkyRaider
DS16C Camera. It will include instructions on how to install the Software and Drivers
and how connect the SkyRaider to your computer along with explanations of the
camera’s major settings. The purpose of this guide is to quickly get you up and
running with the SkyRaider Camera so that you can image.

Revision Sheet
SkyRaider DS16C User Manual Page ii
Revision History
Version
Date
Revision Description
1.0
11/20/2016
Template Creation
2.0
10/28/2017
Digital Binning
2.1
01/14/2018
Flat Fields
3.4
07/14/2018
Sharpness

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SkyRaider Quick Guide Page 1
Table of Contents
Contents
Revision History ................................................................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents ..........................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................6
The Contents of the SkyRaider-DS16C Package ................................................................7
Specifications:........................................................................................................................................7
System Requirements: ...........................................................................................................................8
In the Box...............................................................................................................................................8
2. Installing Driver and Software...............................................................................................9
System Requirements ................................................................................................................9
Installing the Software...............................................................................................................9
3. Connecting the SkyRaider....................................................................................................13
Connecting the SkyRaider-DS16C to your Computer..........................................................13
Connecting AutoGuider Cable to the SkyRaider-DS16C ....................................................15
4. Using MallincamSky Software.............................................................................................16
The MallincamSky Window....................................................................................................16
SkyRaider Quick Setup and Pictorial Work-Flow................................................................17
Live Stack Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................18
Dark Field Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................19
Flat Field Pictorial Work-Flow .............................................................................................20
Histogram Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................21
ROI Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................................22
Save Image Pictorial Work-Flow............................................................................................23
Record Video Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................24
Batch Record Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................25
Auto Capture Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................26
Save Sequence of Images Pictorial Work-Flow (Trigger Mode) .........................................27
Digital Binning..........................................................................................................................28
Sharpen Pictorial Work-Flow.................................................................................................29

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More Detailed Work-Flow Procedure....................................................................................30
Quick Workflow for MallincamSky ....................................................................................................30
Detailed Workflow of Video Imaging Planetary Objects ....................................................................33
Detailed Workflow of Video Imaging Deep Sky Objects....................................................................39
5. The SkyRaider Software Controls........................................................................................48
Top Menu Line.........................................................................................................................48
File.......................................................................................................................................................48
Open Image ......................................................................................................................................49
Open Video ......................................................................................................................................50
Save..................................................................................................................................................51
Save As …........................................................................................................................................51
Batch Save…....................................................................................................................................54
Paste as New File .............................................................................................................................56
Recent Files......................................................................................................................................56
Exit...................................................................................................................................................57
Edit.......................................................................................................................................................57
Cut....................................................................................................................................................57
Copy.................................................................................................................................................58
Paste .................................................................................................................................................58
Paste Shortcut...................................................................................................................................58
Delete ...............................................................................................................................................58
Image Select.....................................................................................................................................58
Select All..........................................................................................................................................58
Select None ......................................................................................................................................59
View.....................................................................................................................................................59
Browse..............................................................................................................................................59
Thumbnail.......................................................................................................................................60
Sidebar..............................................................................................................................................60
Histogram........................................................................................................................................61
Grids.................................................................................................................................................61
Best Fit .............................................................................................................................................64
Actual Size .......................................................................................................................................64
Full Screen .......................................................................................................................................64
Track ................................................................................................................................................64
Reticles.............................................................................................................................................65
Browse.................................................................................................................................................65
Sort...................................................................................................................................................66
Icons.................................................................................................................................................66
Refresh .............................................................................................................................................66
Properties..........................................................................................................................................66
Open Record Folder ........................................................................................................................66
Open Image Folder ..........................................................................................................................66
Setup ....................................................................................................................................................67
Start/Pause........................................................................................................................................67
View Properties… ............................................................................................................................67
ST4 Test… .......................................................................................................................................68
Capture.................................................................................................................................................69
Capture Image ..................................................................................................................................69
Auto Capture....................................................................................................................................69
Start Record…..................................................................................................................................70
Batch Record....................................................................................................................................71

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Image ...................................................................................................................................................73
Mode ................................................................................................................................................73
Adjust...............................................................................................................................................74
Rotate ...............................................................................................................................................79
Crop..................................................................................................................................................80
Scale… .............................................................................................................................................81
Histogram.........................................................................................................................................82
Process.................................................................................................................................................84
Image Stacking.................................................................................................................................87
Options.................................................................................................................................................89
Window................................................................................................................................................95
Close All...........................................................................................................................................95
Reset Window Layout......................................................................................................................95
Windows… ......................................................................................................................................96
About ...................................................................................................................................................96
MallincamSky Toolbar............................................................................................................97
Open.....................................................................................................................................................97
Save......................................................................................................................................................98
Browse.................................................................................................................................................98
Thumbnail ..........................................................................................................................................99
Target...................................................................................................................................................99
Image Type .......................................................................................................................................100
Auto Capture......................................................................................................................................100
Batch Record......................................................................................................................................100
Pause Video Capture..........................................................................................................................100
Open Video Folder.............................................................................................................................101
Zoom..................................................................................................................................................101
Image Select.......................................................................................................................................101
Track..................................................................................................................................................101
Histogram...........................................................................................................................................102
Reticle................................................................................................................................................102
ST4 Test ........................................................................................................................................103
Advance/Reverse ...............................................................................................................................104
Stitch .............................................................................................................................................104
Panorama Straighten: .....................................................................................................................106
Projection Type:.............................................................................................................................106
Seam Finder: ..................................................................................................................................106
Exposure Compensation:................................................................................................................106
Bundle Adjust:................................................................................................................................106
Preferences.........................................................................................................................................109
6. Controlling the SkyRaider..................................................................................................110
Camera List............................................................................................................................110
Capture and Resolution.........................................................................................................111
Resolution..........................................................................................................................................111
Snap ...................................................................................................................................................111
Record................................................................................................................................................112
Gain....................................................................................................................................................113
Exposures...........................................................................................................................................113
Video Mode....................................................................................................................................113
Trigger Mode..................................................................................................................................116
Bit Depth.................................................................................................................................118
Color Balance.........................................................................................................................118
White Balance....................................................................................................................................119

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Color Adjustment...................................................................................................................119
Hue.....................................................................................................................................................120
Saturation...........................................................................................................................................120
Brightness ..........................................................................................................................................120
Contrast..............................................................................................................................................120
Gamma...............................................................................................................................................121
Frame Rate.............................................................................................................................121
Color/Gray..............................................................................................................................122
Flip...........................................................................................................................................122
Sampling .................................................................................................................................123
ROI..........................................................................................................................................123
Histogram ...............................................................................................................................125
Digital Binning........................................................................................................................127
Method...............................................................................................................................................128
Number ..............................................................................................................................................128
Usage suggestion in digital binning...................................................................................................128
Dark Frame subtraction in Digital Binning........................................................................................129
Dark Field Correction ...........................................................................................................130
Flat Field Correction .............................................................................................................132
Introduction: ...................................................................................................................................132
Optical Path Noise:.......................................................................................................................132
Taking Flats: ....................................................................................................................................133
Black Level..............................................................................................................................134
Conversion Gain.....................................................................................................................135
Sharpen...................................................................................................................................135
Misc .........................................................................................................................................135
Live Stack................................................................................................................................136
Cooling....................................................................................................................................138
Parameters..............................................................................................................................139
7. Installing Optional Software..............................................................................................142
Installing DirectShow Driver................................................................................................143
Installing Mallincam ASCOM Driver..................................................................................145
8. AutoGuiding with SkyRaider..............................................................................................147
Guiding with MaximDL and Mallincam ASCOM..............................................................147
Guiding in PHD2 with Mallincam ASCOM Driver............................................................151
Running PHD2 with WDM Driver + ToupST4 Driver ......................................................155
9. Appendix .............................................................................................................................160
Imaging in SharpCap.............................................................................................................160
Start SharpCap ...................................................................................................................................160
Chose Cameras ..................................................................................................................................160
SharpCap will start the imaging process............................................................................................162

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AstroToaster and MallinSky.................................................................................................163
AstroToaster Work Flow ...................................................................................................................163
Start AstroToaster..............................................................................................................................163
Preparing AstroToaster......................................................................................................................164
Click on the View Tab .......................................................................................................................164
Click on Monitor................................................................................................................................165
Tell MallincamSky to Save images in to the Monitoring Folder of AstroToaster. ............................165
Stop the Looping................................................................................................................................165
Click on the Stack Tab.......................................................................................................................166
Adjust the Image in AstroToaser .......................................................................................................167
AstroLive and the SkyRaiderDS16C....................................................................................168
Start AstroLive...................................................................................................................................168
Click on the Choose Still Button........................................................................................................168
From the Pull Down list select ASCOM Mallincam Driver ..............................................................169
Click on the Properties Box...............................................................................................................169
Sequence Generator Pro and SkyRaider DS16C................................................................170
Start Sequence Generator Pro ............................................................................................................170
How Do I … ............................................................................................................................172
How do I get rid of the Green Exposure Rectangle?..........................................................................172
How do I Select a part of the Image and Zoom in?............................................................................172
How do I automatically save 1 image every 30 seconds?..................................................................173
How do I adjust the brightness in my monochrome SkyRaider? .......................................................173
How do I Broadcast my image onto Night Skies Network (NSN)?...................................................173
Can I Use MallincamSky with One SkyRaider and Auto-Guide with another? ................................173
How Do I Pause the Video?...............................................................................................................174
How do I Undo an Operation?...........................................................................................................174
How do I make my ROI the whole Image Again?.............................................................................174
How do I Turn Off Dark Field correction?........................................................................................174
My ROI Window is Black?................................................................................................................174
First Aid for the SkyRaider Series .......................................................................................175
How do I Optimize my Computer?....................................................................................................176
Stacking is going very slow or Stops completely?.............................................................................177
I see a Pink Floyd Kaleidoscope effect on my Screen .......................................................................181
Dark Field Explanation.........................................................................................................182
Dark Frame vs Dark Field..................................................................................................................182
Dark Frame Subtraction .................................................................................................................182
Dark Field Correction.....................................................................................................................182
Setting up to Broadcast on Night Skies Network................................................................185
Customizing the Screen.........................................................................................................195
Focal Reducers .......................................................................................................................196
MFR-10 Focal Reducer......................................................................................................................196
User Notes...............................................................................................................................197

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1. Introduction
The New Large Sensor SkyRaider DS16C video/imager/autoguider is the newest
in the SkyRaider family of astronomical video cameras. It includes the very latest
Large CMOS sensor to deliver the increased sensitivity needed for astronomical
observation and imaging. The SkyRaider DS16C is ready for the most demanding
applications in video astronomy, excelling at live observing of deep sky, filtered
solar and lunar objects. The MallinCam SkyRaider DS16C is the most versatile
video / imaging camera ever created for computer use. All astronomical targets
can be observed live while images are captured or while video is recorded
simultaneously making this newest MallinCam a versatile observing device.
The MallinCam SkyRaider DS16C utilizes a 16.3 effective megapixel, ceramic
CMOS sensor of grade 1. The New type sensor measures 22mm diagonally. This
camera delivers high resolution images using all telescope types and a 0.5X two-
inch focal reducer is available as an option can be used to further increase the
field of view needed for those spectacular large astronomical objects. This new
sensor has significantly improved sensitivity in the near infrared light region, and it
utilizes square 3.80 µm unit pixels with high signal-to-noise ratio.
Using USB3 technology (which is USB2 reversible), the MallinCam SkyRaider
DS16C delivers fast download speeds, near instantaneous to the computer,
perfect for displaying live images, capturing long exposure images, or recording
video files. A fan assisted passive cooling system ensures sensor temperature
stability and super low noise ratio.
The New MALLINCAM SKYRAIDER DS16C camera's Panasonic sensor sensitivity is
augmented by incorporating CDS (correlated double sampling) procedures. This
feature ensures that the SkyRaider DS16C is perfect for astronomy and other dark
field applications, as well as the bright field applications required for lunar, and
filtered solar observing. The SkyRaider DS16C camera can be used to replace
traditional CCD cameras since its unique features include high sensitivity low
noise are found only in this MallinCam model.
By utilizing the MALLINCAMSKY Software Application Dark Frame Correction
feature, an internal Peltier cooler (TEC) is not needed. This results in the use of
only a single cable from the camera to the computer's USB 3.0 port. The Dark
Field Correction feature removes all hot pixels, warm pixels, amp glow and most
dark current noise on the fly making this premier astronomy camera the idea
choice in the field or in an observatory. The dark field correction technology has
been implemented by MallinCam for all their SkyRaider Series of camera
eliminating the need of a Peltier cooler.
Special thanks to Jack Huerkamp and Rock Mallin whose expertise and
experience are way beyond my capabilities.
So, thank you for your purchase, and let the adventure begin.

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The Contents of the SkyRaider-DS16C Package
Specifications:
•PC Win XP, Win7, Win 8, Win 10. Mac.
•Support and includes Full Trigger Mode
•Live Stacking on the Fly
•Live Star Registration, Ideal for all Motorized Alt-Az mounted telescopes
•Support and includes Full Trigger Mode
•Built-in Memories
•CDS (Correlated Double Sampling)
•16.3 Mega Pixels CMOS ceramic color sensor
•22 mm diagonal
•Number of effective pixels 4656 X 3518 (16,379,808 pixels)
•Transfer method: All-pixel scan
•Progressive Scan
•Full HD Support
•Hand Selected sensor class 1 Scientific grade
•Sealed Multi-Coated No IR Optical Window
•Pixel (μm): 3.80 X 3.80 square
•Connectivity USB 3.0 (USB2 compatible)
•Sensor Gain: Variable to 20x
•Sensor G Sensitivity: 2413mv @ 1/30s
•Binning Resolution: : 4640 X 3506, 2304 X 1750, 1536 X 1168
•Sensor: Panasonic v Maicovicon Series Super High Performance
•Size (mm) 4/3", 17.6472 X 13.3228 mm
•4K2K Support
•Full Scan, Any Size Cropping
•Aspect Ratio: 4:3
•Total Number of Pixels: 16,845,920

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•Guiding: ST4 standard protocol
•All Aluminum construction, precision CNC machining
•Hand crafted electronics assembly.
•One USB 3 cable operation
•Weight : 430 Grams (15.16oz)
•Dimension: 3.1 inch diameter, 3-1/4 inch long (78.74 mm, 82.55mm)
System Requirements:
•Equal to Intel Core2 2.8GHz or Higher
•Memory: 4GB or More
•USB port: USB 3.0 Port (Recommended)
•Display: 17" or Larger Recommended
In the Box
The SkyRaider DS16C Plus includes the following standard equipment:
➢MALLINCAM SkyRaider-DS16C Camera
➢Mallincam SkyRaider CCD with Software
➢High Precision 1.25" Eyepiece Adapter
➢2” Adapter
➢5-meter long. (15.5 feet long) USB 3.0 high grade cable
➢SkyRaider-DS16C also includes a 2 meter ST4 Guider cable.
Updated Software and Drivers can be down-loaded at the Software Downloads
Window located in the Support Tab at www.mallincam.net

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2. Installing Driver and Software
System Requirements
PC running either Windows ® (32-bit & 64-bit) XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, Mac, Linux
Performance is not guaranteed if the following specification cannot be reached.
•DirectX 9.0 or later installed
•2.8GHz processor (Recommend dual core 2.8GHz or more)
•USB 3.0 Port
•4GB RAM (Recommend 4GB or more)
•200MB Free HDD
Installing the Software
Visit the Software Downloads Page in the Support Tab located on the website:
www.mallincam.net
Select the Blue Click Here Button to download the Drivers and MallincamSky
Software for a Windows PC (there is a Click Here that contains a non-stacking
version along with ASCOM drivers).
If you have a Mac, or Linux computer, just choose the appropriate download
form the download page. The following instruction will represent a Windows
Computer.
Step 1
Step 2

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Make sure that the SkyRaiderDS16C is not plugged into the computer.
Place your mouse on the zipped file, Right-Click to pop-up an Action Window,
and choose Extract All …
Just Click on the Extract button, when the next Window pops-up. Windows
should now open up the actual folder that contains the software to install.
Un-Zip the folder, then Double-Click on it to open it up, revealing the 5 programs
it contains (or 1 program if just downloading MallincamSky).
The ASCOM DRIVER folders contains the ASCOM Drivers for the camera
The DIRECTSHOW DRIVER folder contains the Direct Show Drivers for the camera
The WINDOWS APPLICATION folder contains the camera control software.
Double-Click on the WINDOWS APPLICATION folder to open it up, and then
Double-Click on the MALLINCAMSKYSetup file and follow instructions to install the
MallincamSKy software and drivers onto your computer:
The following MallincamSky Setup Screen will then appear:
Click on Next to start the installation process.
Step 6
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5

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The installation program now wants to know where you would like to install the
software. Either choose your own location or select the default.
Click on Install to proceed.
Windows may again ask for permission to install the device software.
Click on Install to accept.
The MallincamSky Software will take about a minute to be installed. When
completed, the following screen will appear:
Step 7
Step 8

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Click on Finish, and the MallincamSky will start and will appear on your screen.
Now you can plug in the SkyRaiderDS16C into your computer (see the next
Chapter called “Connecting the SkyRaider” for more details). It will take a
moment for Windows to attach the drivers to the port, then you are ready to start
imaging.
You can determine is MallincamSky recognizes the camera (and thus the drivers)
by noticing the SkyRaiderDS16C name in the Camera List Tab (see Chapter 3 for
detailed instructions). If by chance you are running the SkyRaiderDS16C on a USB
2.0 cable, you will see the name as: SkyRaiderDS16C (2.0).
Optionally (see Installing the ASCOM Driver for more in-depth details), Double-
Click on ASCOM DRIVER folder, then Double-Click on the
ASCOMMallincamSetup and ASCOMMallinST4Setup programs and follow
instructions to install the ASCOM driver.
Double-Click on the DIRECTSHOW DRIVER Folder to open it up, then Double-Click
on the MALLINCAMDshowSetup program and follow instruction to install the
Directshow drivers onto your computer.
Windows may display a warning asking for permission to run the program, if it
does, select YES.
Step 9
Hint
Step 10
Step 11

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3. Connecting the SkyRaider
Connecting the SkyRaider-DS16C to your Computer
Remove the rubber dust cover from the front of the SkyRaider-DS16C camera
(place it back in the box for safe keeping).
Screw in the 1.25” adapter or the 2” adapter to
the front of the SkyRaider-DS16C.
Insert the SkyRaider-DS16C (with adapter
attached) into a 1.25” or 2” eyepiece adapter
on your Telescope.
Depending upon the telescope, you may need extenders so that you can reach
focus with your telescope. It is recommended that you set this up in the daytime,
so you can see what you are doing (plus can aim at an easy to find tree or
telephone pole).

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Attach the 5-meter USB 3.0 Cable from the back of the SkyRaider DS16C to a
free USB 3.0 port on your computer.
The SkyRaider DS16C has some strict power and thru-put requirements, and not
all computers are created equal. If you find you are having difficulties with the
following steps, it maybe the USB 3.0 port on your computer. If that is the case,
one option to try is; connected a Powered USB 3.0 Hub to your USB 3.0 port on
your computer. This simple step can improve, both thru-put, power and distance
between your computer and the SkyRaider DS16C camera.
Windows will then automatically load the correct SkyRaider Camera Driver onto
your computer.
Once the driver has been successfully loaded, you will see the name of the
SkyRaiderDS16C Camera in the MallincamSky Camera List on the upper left of
the Window. You can install more than one SkyRaider Camera to your computer,
but the software can only control one SkyRaider Camera at a time.
If you notice that the SkyRaiderDS16C has a (USB2.0) behind it, then you are
either using a usb 2.0 port, or the distance is too great for the usb 3.0 cable, and
the system has entered usb 2.0 speeds.
Hint

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Connecting AutoGuider Cable to the SkyRaider-DS16C
If you are going to use your SkyRaider Ds16C as an Autoguider, then you will
need to attach the provided ST4 cable.
Attach one end of the ST4 cable into the ST4 slot on the back of the SkyRaider-
DS16C, and the other end into the ST4 port on your Telescope Mount.

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4. Using MallincamSky Software
The MallincamSky Window
The MallincamSky Software Window is segmented into a few regions to make
viewing and adjusting the SkyRaider camera easy and intuitive.
①The Top Menu Line provides dropdown menus and icons to allow you to
make major settings of the software
②The MallincamSky Left SideBar provides the simple click activation and
selection capabilities to control all aspects of the image and camera.
③The Left SideBar Base provides selection options for Camera, Folders, or Undo.
Left Clicking on the selection choice will fill the Left SideBar with its options.
④The Video Window will contain the display image from the SkyRaider
Camera. It is here that you will see the live video, or images.
⑤The Information Line will indicate the current camera, current frame rate,
number of frames displayed, resolution, information about captures, etc.
①
②
③
④
⑤

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SkyRaider Quick Setup and Pictorial Work-Flow
A typical workflow when using the SkyRaider DS16C with MallincamSky.
Start Mallincam
Deep Sky Object
Planetary
Trigger Mode to Image
Activate Dark Field
Video Mode to Focus
Adjust Image
Save and Record
Exit Mallincam
Exit Mallincam
Save and Record
Adjust Image
Video Mode to Image
Live Stack
Start Trigger
Mode then
Take Dark Field

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Live Stack Pictorial Work-Flow
A typical workflow when Live-Stacking with MallincamSky.
Expose Object
Choose and Activate Video
Mode or Trigger Mode
Live Stack
Adjust Image
Save and Record
Choose type of Stacking